Flying-machine or flier.



w. s. CRA'NMER. FLYING MACHINE 0R FLIER.

"APPLICATION FILED AUG.29| 1908. 1 r I j 223 I Patented Apr. 24,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHET 1.

w. s". .CRANMER.

FLYING MACHINE on FUER. APPLICATION FILEI1 A UG. 29. 1908.

Patented Apr. 24;, 191? 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. S. CRANMER.

vFLYING MACHiN E 0R FUER. APPLICATION FILED AUG.29. 190a.

1,223,990 Patented Apr. 24,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3f w. 8;,CRANMER. FLYING MACHINE 0R FLIER. APPLICATION FILED AUG ZQ; 1908.

l,223,9%, Patented Apr. 24,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

w. s. cRA'N'MEn,

FLYING MACHINE 0R FLIER'.

.APPLICATION FILED AUG.29| 190-8- 1,223,94Q; Patented Apr. 24, 1917 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

To all whom it may concern;

' wi'nnmrzi s. chairmen, or mam, camronnm. c

- FLYING-Manama on mm.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SCRhnMnR,

a citizen of the United statesy-residinginthe city of Fresno," county of Fresno, and State/of California, haveinvented anew and usefulFlying-Machine or Flier, ofwhich thev following is" a specification;

I I that class commonly My invention *relates to inriprovements in air flying machines.

v "The purpose of my invention is to provide a flying machine which will rise directly from the ground without any starting ap- 'parat-us ,thatl-will navigate the air safely, 15'

that will fall slowly to the ground in case of an accident to the machinery, and that will move aboutover ordinary roads on 'landunder its own power of'steam or mo;

'tor.-. H

'I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a topplan view: of

i ,the machine. Fig. 2is-a side elevat'ionwith the Wings omitted. Fig. 3 is'a plan view of theplatform and lower portion of the machine. F ig. 4 is a rear elevation with the wings at theirhighst'point/ Fig. 5 is a verticalsection' taken through the line -,yi'y,"Fig. -1-,- with the wings at the lowest point. Fig. 6' is a vertical section through the lines are-{v and v v", Fig. '1, illustrating the parachutes and air-chambers from the front or rear.. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the line L' -m, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan View of one of the wings,

with th'enet-work removed in the lower half.-

Fig. 9 is'a vertical section'through one wing p on the lineyy, Fig. 1.

Fig. lO'isl a vertical section through the line 8,;illustrating the two difi'erentjp'ositions occupied by the valve-strips during the upward and downward strokes of the-wings. p Fig. ll'is'a detail view showing a portion of a valve-strip,'and .how it is, fastened to the narrow band. i w

"Fighl2'is atop plan view of the wing drivingfmechanism. Fig. 13 is a side.

omitted." t

Fig.14- is; an enlarged vertical sectional View takenon or near the line s-s, Fig. l2.

known. as heavier-than} elevation of the Wing drivingmechanism, with the springs at the outer extremity of the Wing driving lever Fig. 1 6 is a perspective view of the flying I machine in soaring or gliding flight.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Speaking in general terms, my flyingmachine, which is intended-for carrying two movable planes or wings. Theplatform,which is plan view, (see F ig.- 3) is provided with fourv wheels for movement over land; 5

The superstructure is rigidly supported above the platform by a rectangular framework which extends upward from the middiamond shaped in Patented Apr. 24., rem. 5 Application filed August 29, 1908 serialo. 450,890.

persons, consists of a lower framework or platform, a light superstructure, and two "dlepart of the platform, (71, i, Fig. 2)- and' V "by three frame pieces which extend upward from the front endof the platform in the v shape of an inverted tripod, (Zak, is, Fig.

'16) and by'three frame-pieces, (lc, k, k); extending upward from the rear end of the platform in a similar manner, except that the jrearmost piece is crooked so as to form a support for the'rear rudder. 5

The superstructure consists oftwoairchambers, A, A, forming parachutes beneath,

front of the other.v v v Aeroplanes, B, B, extend out from, the

sides, of the air-"chambers, fiar the front and rear. 3 v v I At the extreme front of the superstructure there is a horizontalrudder Rfand at the rear a vertical'rudder R.

' The movable planes or wings, W," W, which lift "and propel the flying machine,

which are arranged tandem, that is, onein are supported upon the central-rectangular framework, and are moved up and down much like a birds wings. Y

Having en a general idea of my inventioinl will now' take up. the; various parts more in detail, describing the purpose or function, structure,-, and mode of operation of-each part.

the flying machine continuously in upright position, the heavier articles, that is the operators, motor,-'an'd principal mechanism connected therewith, are placed on the lowerframework or platform near the center of the machine.- A large'volume isgiven to with somelight strong-cloth or fabric-' 0 To maintain equil1brium,-that is to keep hydrogen or any other light gas inclosed in the superstructure wouldaccomplish the same result, I prefer to use air,

which is itself alight gas, as there-are several advantages in using air for this purpose. The supply of air is everywhere plentiful, and there would be no'need for inflation; and there would be no danger of explosion, which happens-so frequently with airships containing combustible gases. It is not necessary to confine air so closely as hydrogen, and so the a-ir chambersneed not be perfectly air-tight, as the air would enter as fast as it leaked out, thus keeping the airchambers full of air. Hence there would be no trouble at altitudes from expansion of the air within the air-chambers asa rarer atmosphere was reached; fand a few small leaks, like bullet holes, for example, would.-

not materially affect theusefulness of the air-chambers in maintaining equilibrium.

As a result of the natural law known :as

' the principle of Archimedes, every. body immersed in the air is constantly acted upon by two opposite forces. First, gravity, act-Q ing downwardthro'ugh the center of gravity,

and caused by theattraction of the earth for. the body itself. Second, an upward pressure or buoyancy, acting upward through thecenter-of volume, .and resulting, from the attraction of theearth for the wholebody of air, known as the atmosphere, surrounding the earth.

The first force is' equal to the Weight of the body, andthe second forceisin proportion to the volume of the body, and 'is quantity of air machine, owing to the light bulky superstructure andthe heavier lower parts, will be near the lowerplatform, and the center of volume in or near the, superstructure, and

hence there will betwo opposite forces, one

from each of these two points, constantly acting, during flight, to prevent an overturn, and both forces will tend to restore the .fiying machine to an up'r'ightposition.

whenever fromany cause it is overturned.

With the double purpose of lessening the amount of resistance these air-chambers will meet with in passing through the air during flight, and also to form circular -concave parachutes beneath them (see Fig. 6)]the object of which is explained below, the airchambers are made of the general shape of a thick heavy watch crystal, or an inverted saucer, and placed in a horizontal position with theirfnarrowest dimension to the nor-v mal line of flight. r 1 I do not wish tolimit my invention to any given thickness of the air-chambers,

but claim the right .to diminish their thickness to theextent of practically eliminating the air-chambers, leaving the parachutes chutes, the mouths of which are held steadily alone to maintain equilibrium, "otherwise expressed as automatic stability, in addition to other functions hereafter more fully described. l p

Different views of the air-chambers are shownin' Figs. *1, 2, 4, 6, 7 'an d'16, indicated 1 by the letter A. Being nearly circular in shape, convex on. the upper and concaveon the under'surface, they form parachutes which will not only assist-in maintaining equilibrium at all times,'but which will prevent a rapid and therefore dangerous descentpin case of an. 'accident to the ma 'chinery, or sudden stoppingof the motor during flight.

To prevent a lurching or tipping caused by the'accumulation of compressed air in the parachutes while descending, airj-tubes are provided, one located near, the center of each of the parachutes; and extending through the bodyof the air-chamber'to the upper surface thereof, indicatedby F,-in .Figs'. 7 and 16." r a [The open air tube permits the escape of a portion of the air under pressure in the parachute before too great anac cumulation.

lurching from sideto side. The opening .mustbe adapted in size to allowthe maxiof compressed air in escaping from be-.

neath the parachute causes a tipping or mum of air pressure under the parachute,

without permitting an over accumulation of y compressed air, and consequent tipping.

The mouths of the parachutes as well as 1 the openings at the top are kept open and.

unobstructed for the. free entrance of air.

The ordinary collapsible parachute must i first fall a considerable distance before being opened out by the air, and in case the ropes at the mouthof it are entangled,

it may not open out at all.

Hence the only absolutelysafe parachute' is one which is always open and ready for instant action. Theefl'ect of gravity is so immediate and rapid, that therefis no time after an accident happens or a fall commences, to adjust th parachute. must beentir'ely automatic.

During a fall, the'front and rear paradown-ward by the weight 'of the heavier longitudinal oscillations and'the large and extended. spoon-shaped wings. would not only act as parachutes inbreaking the fall,

Its action I lower parts, would: fPI'GVGIIt any; violent also tend tofprevent any serious lateral oscillations;

Thegene'ral shape and structure of my 'flying machine as -a whole is such, that if.

dropped or thrown into the air inany position, it ,will immediately and automatically assume an upright position, and fall slowly to the ground. I v a In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, and 16 the front of the 120 but together With the side aeroplanes would I machine is toward the right, and it is deas. open A as possible. for air during flight.

center. v, I

The rectangular frameworknear the ceI'1- p signed that the normal movement shall be in this direction, -With the object of di- 'minishing the resistance of the'air, the chief parts of the machine are constructed with:

their narrowest dimensions toward I the front, and the intervening spaces are left the free passage. of

' To prevent any-tendency to inoye sidewise during flight, the rearportio s ffof the machinefis madalarger than the forward portion,

wings, are placed somewhat forwardqof the ter ofthe flier which extendswfrom. the

' platform to the superstructure, and supports the'wings (i, i, F ig' 2) is constructed so as to lean to the front; that is, made with the general line of .the superstructure at the front side ofthe framework is somewhat obtuse; the object being to keep the axis of the wings horizontal duringflight, when'the rear portion of the superstructure will be somewhat depressed below the horizontal.

The Side aeroplanes, shown in Figs. 1, 2, Land 16, indicated by B, are attached to the main framework of the superstructure, are built inTis'ections," and may be slightly curved on theiunder side. The purpose of the side aeroplanes, which may be constructed of a light framework of slats, covi the weight of. the flier during flight, and

ered with cloth,5'i sto assist in sustaining also to give steadiness by preventing-any I lateral rocking" movement. The. size and shape best adapted for thesepurposes can only be determined-by practical flight.

- To steer the machine upward or down{ Ward, a horizontal rudder is placed at the front, indicatedby B, (Fig. 1)-.-. Itfhas a pivotal axis 0?, d, and a reference to Fig. 7

" attached to a backwardly extending arm at will show how it maybe controlled by a rope I 8, and the ends of th'e rope passed through pulleys 9, 9, one secured above and the other below' the point of 'attachment, and thence running to the drum of a steering wheel on the lower platform, as shown at 10.

The rear rudder R is used for steering to i the rightor left. Two ropes are attachedv to the forwardly extending arm of the rear rudder at T, (Fig. 16) and these ropes run separately and oppositely through pulleys t, t, secured to the two sideframe pieces extending fromthe rear end of the lower platform to the superstructure, and said ropes thence run through pulleys t, t, to a steering mechanism within reach of the forward operator.

' A network of strong cords is stretched over thelower framework or platform, P, (Figs. 3 and 16) and a narrow walk, P, P,

that is the propelling means, the

the angle resting upon the network of cords extends from the front to the rear of the platform. This narrow walk may be constructed of canvas as a base to give the necessary strength, and with a top flooring of compressed paper to give the necessary stiflness,

cemented to the canvas. it should be secured to the framework near the front and rear ends of the platform, to the central rectangular framework, and to each of the network of cords passing under the walk. The narrow walk is the deck for the ac- Lcommodation of the operators, and enables either of them to move'forward or backward F or the safety of the operators, the narrow walk; is provided with a hand ropeor railing at each side (6, '6, Fig.2) from which a. networkof cords is stretched down to the platform. 5*

, The axle D, D, indicated by-ll, which extends across the middle of the diamond'shaped platform shown in Fig. 3,;Ion the line of the shorter diagonal of. the diamond, is detachably geared to the motor, M, in a. manner similar to like'parts inan automobile, for the move ment' of the machine from place to place over land, or whenstartingto fly to take a short run on the ground to, get the-sustain. ing force of the superstructure into action,

and thus assistlthe w ings in rising from the ground- Y The endwheelsD gfand D are each placed on avertical axis, and each is controlled during movement over land by means of upper cross-bars, (gfFig. 6) to which ropes are attached and run toa suitable. steering device withinreachof the operator. By connecting the opposite ends ofthe cross bars of the' front and rear wheels, a pull upon the ropejwill produce an opposite effect. Y on the position of the front and rear wheels,

but this will ;giv e the same steering effect. An inspection of Fig. 2 will show that only one of "these wheels'can touch the ground at any time. But no matter which is. upon the. ground, the same-: steering effect will be produced. y Y

An important object of all four of the wheels is to prevent injury to the flier when landing from flight.':'1The arrangement of four" wheels placed-at the corners of a diamond shaped platform, composed oftwo planes which form an obtuse angle with.

shaft of the two driving wheels each other on the line of the shorter diagonal I of the diamond, thus giving the front and rear'whee1s a raised position,'as' shown in Fig.2, gives a broad foundation to the fiyer which .is needed. to protect. the more fragile upper .parts from ury in landing. No matter what part ofthe platform may strike the grfo'und first, one or more of the wheels will-bein' position to guide-the flier forward until the momentum is spent.

. The power to operate the wingsis'derived from the motor M, (Fig. 2) -which' is'detachably geared .in any suitablemanner to the. driving crank 6 (Figs. 2, 5 and 7).

The motor is supported on a small rigid.

platform built out from the rear side of the central rectangular framework, and strengthened by oblique side braces 11., (Fig.2), ex- -:tending from the outer corners of the small motor platform upward to the said framework. The crank-pin 5, has journaled upon it two upright bars, 0, G. The turning of the crank causes the upper ends of these bars to move up and down, andthese-ends being pivotally connected at 2, 2, (Fig. 5) withthe ends of the driving levers 19, 19, a similarv up and down movement isgivento the ends of the driving levers, which are pivoted .in

v the central rectangular framework at 1, 1.

The inner part or stem of the main shaftof the wing, 12, (shown as a whole in Fig. 9)

is secured :in the triangular frame 21 (Fig. 12) at the two points 20 and 22, and'the inner side of this frame is also pivoted on ltheline l,1.- -(S ee Fig. 1.)

'The outer end of this frame, inclosing the stem of the wing shaft,-is connected with the outer end of the driving lever 19, by -means of acombination of curved'springs 23, 23, (Fig. 12) located within the collar 72, and shown in detailin Fig. 14.

Th'esesprings are attached attheir middle box 20 from strikingthe collar 71. as the wing shaft vibrates up and down. a The movement of the driving levers is thuscommunicated to the wings, through' and by means ofthe springs, and the two wings are moved rapidly up and down in unison. p

l/Vithout. elasticity, no wing structure .however strong 'could long stand the strain .of moving rapidly and suddenly stopping at the end of each stroke. To overcome this difiiculty, elasticity is given to the wing movement by the above described combination of springs, which forms an elastic connection between the outer-end of the driving leverand the stem of the wing blade.

- This combination of springs prevents a. ar by acting as acushlon during a reversal of the wing, and it saves power by storing up in the springs the power required to stop the'wing attthe end ofa stroke in one di- I rection, and returning that power in the form of motion to the wing as it moves off' in the opposite direction.

The'shock and loss of power is thus avoided, and this form of mechanism, common to all "winged creatures, approaches the smooth- 1 ness and perfection of circular motion.

.An enlarged plan of the body ofone of the wings is shown in Fig. 8. All theparts of the main shaftor principal frame piece of the wing are shown in 'Fig. 9, indicated I by 12. The outer portion of the main shaft,

or that part in'the body of the Wing is curved. The inner part, orstem, straight except at the inner end which-is bent at a right angle, forming a shank or elbow, in

dicated by'3, the purpose of which will be explained 'later on. The stem isumade-of considerable length in order to give the-inner portion of thej wing -blade suflicient movement to render that partofjthe wing blade effective. i e Secured to the underside of the curved portion of the wingshaft are-.cross bars 13,

13, whichare also curved. See-.- Fig.-1O.)

The rim of the ring, 14, 14,is rectangular except that the two end pieces are somewhat curved outwardly, the side and endapieces are compactly joined or'co'ntinuous atthe corners, and all parts of the riin; are in the same plane. The rim is secured to the under side of themain shaft, and to the ends of the curved cross bars, and forms a ringlike base compactly binding the whole framework. e v v All the frame pieces are triangular in cross section, with the apex of 'an angle upward, and a 'fiat side downward, the ob-,

ject being to lessen the resistance. of the air during the upward stroke of the wing, and to increase it during the downward stroke. To the under side of the curved cross bars and rim of the body'pf the wing are secured cords or wiresstretched in two or more directions, and formingan interlacing network, 15, 15, (Figs. 8 and 9) Beneath the interlacing network of cords or wires, and

resting against it when closed,are the valvestrips. They are strips of silk or some light material, sewed or otherwise attached at one side to narrow bands'of linen or other "strong material. The method of attaching a valve-strip to the narrow supporting band 5.

of a valve-strip, 17 is the end of the narrow is shown in Fig. 11 in which 16 is a portion band, which is secured to the rim of the wing, and at 18 is shown how the narrow band is sewed or secured to the valve strip,

at one side thereof, in two lines.

In F 1g. 8, the network of wlres or cords is removed in the lower half of the wing, .to show the va1vestrips, 16, 16, extending length-wise, and overlapping as indicated by the dotted lines. gThey are secured to the wing by means of the narrow 'bands, at

the ends to the rim, and at the middle to a curved cross bar. .'.(See Figs..5.,and 9L) The wings areso constructed as to permit the air to pass freely-"through the body of" the wing on the upward stroke, and to pre-. vent it's -,passage;on the downward stroke.

The difference in the resistance met with on the' upwar'd and downward strokes is the source ofthe lifting powerof the wings. Q;

The automatic opening and closing of the" valve-strips is illustr ted. in 'Fig. 10' (a), whichfshows; the valve-strips open on; the I bearings at the two points '20 and 22' inthe upward stroke of the wing, and in Fig. 10 (b), which shows. them.'closed on the down ward stroke and-slightly overlapping. In Fig. 10 the movement of the wings is supposed to be "forward toward the right, and

the'valve strips'toI-be fastened on their forward side;

The air resistance encountered during the upward movement of jthe wing, would cause the valve strips to hang straight down, but

the elasticity ofthe narrow bands towhich the valve-strips are, lsecur'ed, .forces the valve-strips backward, and they assume an liquely with their 1upper=sides, and propel theflier forward.

The mannerof fastening the valve strips I to the wing bymeans of; the narrow hands.

in three or"more places, "(in-Fig. 9, thevalve-strip is fastened to the wing in only three places,) allows the greater portion of each valve-strip to swing out from the body of the wing slightly during the upwardstroke of the wing, and turnedgewi'se, that is turn its sharp forward cleaving edge in.

[the same direction the wing is moving, thus encountering but a small amo unt of rasistance in passing through the air; Immedr ately on commencement of the downward stroke of the wing, the torsional elastlcity of the narrow bands to which thevalve 3 stripsareattached, and the air "resistance encountered, cause the-valve-strips to fall back in place against the interlacing-net work in the position shown in F ig. 1O

The supporting bands act as springs, holding the valve-strips in aclosed position during the downward stroke, and in an oblique position during the upward stroke of the wings.

' "V -The valve-strips are placed lengthwise of the wings, but at right angles to-the linev of ,fiight, and secured at or near their forward;f part, that is somewhere between the middle v piece of the blade of the wing, being turned,

of the valve-strip and its forw-ardedge."

There should be ,some elasticity and a considerable degree of stiffness in the valverow which may be made of d a greater degree of elasticity in 1530B dewnward" st k wings, which act-like a raehutes lifts {the aclt'"'-upward strokeflyin machine), Jan

ofthe concave drives it. forwardi= Both: downwardand upward strokes are efi'eetive, and the machine is sustained"in "thefair and 'fpror" pelled .;'forward suceessiveiinpulses,' rap-" idly repeated.-

I. .wi'll'fnow explaina method of steering byfmeans of thewingadesignedto beiinder the controlsof the operator stationedon the rear part of the platform; 2

The wing shaft. is ournal'e d-with tall frame 21," Fig. 12, and theframe ,Iis pivotally'mounted on an axisjin.linewith' 1, l,- the shank or elbowPheretofore :n'i'entionedtaking the position 'shown'atfi, directly in j line with the same :axis 1, 11-- In- Fig. '13 the position trit shank of elbow is shown in a side elevation, and in Fig. 15 in a-vertical sectional view, -where' ropes 26,- 26, are attached to the" upper end at 3 and run through pulleys 27, 27, 'also= through the {axial linew r- (as shown in Fig.12), and to that extent Fig. 15 isnot a .itrue sectional view.

two drums placed end toend and revoluble on a -common-axle' shaftextending transversely of the flie r and similarly situated with referenceto each of the wings. Ra dial arms or spokes, forming wheels, extend outwardly from each of the drums at the ends which. are adjacent, and .each du licate part is constructed asrepre'sentedin thesectional View shown at? 30 in Fi'g. 15.;

The ropes connecting xeac'h drum of the steering-mechanism to the adjacent wing are passed once around the drum, drawn taut, and" secured atone pointto the drum. A' general perspective view is shown -in Fig. 16;]

The steering mechanism of which the wheel '30 forms a part, is located on tlge rear art of the platform. It is constructed of Referring to for explanation of. thedetails of operation of 'one wing,;'a turn 'o fthe'top of the wheel 30' toward the right or front will cause the end of the shank.

of thewing shaft to move toward -the'right.

or front, the wing shaft being Irevolublly. mounted-'intheiram'e 21, andfthe wing -shaft*12,, forming-the main centrframe will depress the forward part of the wing blade and elevate-the hinder-part, andathe wing blade will'strike the air' obliquely and thus increase the forward propelling action at the wing.

An opposite movement of the wheel 30 to the left or rear will cause an oppositeposition of the wing blade, and a tendency to .stop: the flier or to propel it to the rear.

The wheel 30 can be moved either when the wing is atres't' or in motion, because the vibration of the wing does not alter the distance between the end of the shank 3 and the pulleys 27, placed exactly on the axial line, as the point 3 moves'back and forth 1n the arc of a circle which .is perpendicular to the axial line, and the distance between 3 mechanismbe clasped by the hand of the and 27 is constant during vibrations of the wing unless the position of -3 isalter'ed by turning thewheel'30. v

If the similarly situated projecting spokes of the two adjacent wheels of the steering operator or. by any convenient means, so that the twowheels and the twodrums will turnin unison, the extended. clasped spokes of the two wheels thus act as a means for turning the bladesvof the two wings simultaneously-forward or back-Ward in unison, 'forthe purpose of increasing the forward action, or retarding the motion But by unclasping the adjacent spokes I projecting from the two wheelsof the steerling mechanism, and theoperator, by means of the spokes, turning one-of these wheels forward and the other backward, one wing may be made to propel thelflier-forward,

' e and the other wing to retard or propel back wardfwith the result that the flier will turn quicklytoward that side on-which the wing is propelling backward.

When soaring or gliding withthe wings j at rest, the flier may be steered downward .40'

-' neously forward or backward as already exor upward by turning the wings simulta-- plained; or.if thejwings are turned separately, the flier could be righted or brought to a level osition when sagging on one side by-turn1ng the wing 'blade n that slde partly backward, causing that s1de to r1se.,

' There are two natural forces to'be overcome in flyingythe resistance of the air to forward movement,', and" the downward force of gravity; andthesetwo forces, generally speaking, -act at right angles to each other.

3 Therefore to accomplish flight, theremust be opposed to'these natural forces twoother forces of greater power, a sustaining force device generates the two regluiredforces, a sustaining force anda prop l ng force acting atright angles to each othen he'lack of safety connected with theiuse of the modern aeroplane is partly owin to 5 the fact that in the aeroplane the'requlred sustaining and-propelling forces acting at right angles are generated by two separate "devices, the curved plane and revolving propeller; and this doubles the chances of failureand disaster, since each of these devices may be in some respects defective, and each is liable, to the'chance of failure at any time.

The chances of disaster in the use of the aeroplane are further multiplied by the fact that the successful operation of the sustaining device is wholly dependenton two diverse conditions. The aeroplane must be kept in a substantially horizontal position, and it must be kept moving rapidly forward. Whenever from any cause. the aeroplane either loses the required horizontal:

position or ceasesto move forward,.the sustaining force entirely fails, and an immediate fall is certain. a a

When driven-by a powerful engine at an excessive and dangerous speed, the revolving propeller generates a moderate propel ling force if it is kept'moving forward into new air, but when stationary it quickly creates a rearward current of air, which greatly reduces its propelling force,

Neither the sustaining 'nor the propelling function in my flying. machine is dependent on forward movement, and-this will enable it to rise directly upward from the ground like a sparrow, without anypreliminary run along the ground.'-

It can also be made slowly, onto;

poise in the air. v

Poisi'ngin calm air may, be effected by inclining the flier backward such an angle that the resultant of the sustaining and the propelling forces of the. wings will be a force acting vertically upward, and'exactly equal to the weight of the flier. Poising in a high wind. maybe accomplished by-flying against the windat a speedequal to the winds velocity.

The sustaining power of my flier may be increased at any time by increasing the ve:

locity'of wing movement, since each wing stroke performs a certain amount of lifting."

But-the propellingpower will not increase materiallywhen. the wings are moved faster than the normal velocity, but will-remain nearly constant, sincethe propelling-power ismeasured by the elastic strength of the band springs, or elastic bands, which hold the valve strips outobliquely, during the up-'." ward stroke; and these springs propel at their full strength just one-halfthe time,

whether-the wings-move fast or slow.-

This automatic action of the wing springs in maintaining-nearly constant the propelling: power of'the-wings, will be very-useful lII'I'lSiIlg'lIl the air when alargeilifting' force v is required. Forwhilethepropellingforce remains nearly constant and normal, the lifting or sustaining force can be very greatly increased by increasing the rapidity of wing movement, and nearly the whole of the reserve motive power'can b'e exerted for a short time in lifting the flyer from the ground into the air.

\Vings best adapted for long level flights,

will not be well adapted for rising quickly in the air. 'I will explain why.

The propelling power of the wings may be'increased by giving greater strength 'to the band springs, and more stiffness to the' valve-strips. This willcause the valvestrips to be held out more'strongly and at a greater angle during the upward stroke, partly closing the wings, and adding to the air resistance encountered.,

But increasingthe air resistance on the upward stroke will reduce the lifting power ofthe wings, because the lifting power is equal to the difference between theair resistance on the up and down-strokes, the resist ance on the down stroke :being the greater,

as the wings are thenentirely closed.

Consequently a flierin'which the propelling function is well developedwill not be able to rise quickly in the-air, because the "lifting or sustaining power of the wings will necessarily be much reducedi The wings of a fhcr sp ggially adapted for rising quicklyin the as should be constructed :so as -to .cause the. greatest possible difference; between.- the air resistance on-the.

up and diiwn'strokes. This can be done by making the wings broad and deeply con cave, the band s prings weak, and the valve-- Just the op oslte construction shouldlbe ado'p'ted ,'for.; t e. wings' of a flierspeeially adapted forflong level flights; that-is,.the

wings should belong and nar'r0w, only slightly concave, and providedwith-strong band spring's,1and stifi valve strips.

The two difi'erent; methods. of steering already described, onev undrgthecontrol of each of the I-two -operator's,will-give greater safety than-alisinglefmethod: ,,-'-For if one; should fail at acriticalmoment, the other will nearly always "be availab'le to prevent disaster. j.

* Safety will likewise be'promoted bythe two devices for maintaining automatic stability, the air-chambers and the parachutes,

each of which is dependent on a different natural principle; and also the two separate} devices for preventing the bad effects of: an accidental fall tothee'arth, the parachutes and the'elastic-net stretched over the platform.

' planes, parachutes, and wings of my flying machine will v make it a good glider, and there will be two ways of coming down principle 10f the 1 ,modern aeroplane.

I few birds soar, and all birds flap their he curved under surface of the side aero safely from a high altitude with the motor shut off, either-t0 come straightdownby making use of the parachutespr to glide down obliquely.

In the construction of. my machine,

I have adopted the essential principlesbf flight as shown by a careful-study ofthe structure and flight of birds, without at tempting to exactly. imitate that very per-"- feet natural flying machine,'the bird, which .is so well adapted to meet the conditions of I actual flight;

In order 'to moregfully explain 'the struc-fl tu re, operation, and functionsof those parts of'my flying' machinemakinguse of the principles which I have derived from a study of bird flight, I will now, call attention to some features ofthe structure andflight insects in, which the s arm ' Imitation 0r he-"so flight (if birds led of birds, and also" to son e features of fl i ,Ine-principles of flight r applied. t v I to the discovery of thegliding or sustaining onlywings =when rising in the air. Y

During the horizontalfiight ofa large bird,-such as a hawk, observation from a that the wings aremoved vertically up and down, and that the blade of each wing,

point at one side of theiflying bird shows But I speaking with referenceto its extent from front to rear, is at all times parallel to the 'An examination of a birds wing,a s for example the wing of a chicken, will show that the feathers are light, strong, and very elastic; that the under side or the wing when spreadout in the proper positionfor flight is concave or spoon-shaped; and that one nextjin1fron-t of it," and the outer po'rin this position, each feather overlaps the tion-ofthewing consists of stif'f'feathers 6X? verse to the line of-flight.

tube-like quill supporting a blade having" at theforward'side of the feather blade.

tending straight out, or" substantially trans 1 'la -hese outer, wing feathers, usually called i 1 the'prlmary feathers, each consist of astifi 'a'sharp narrow fringe on the front side, and va wide fringe on the rear side. That-is, the supporting quill isnot in the middle, but,

The outerwing feathers are the most ef-' fe'ctive part of the wing during flight, be-' {cause they move much farther and faster than the inner parts, bein farthest from the of the wings, during which the primary feathers of eachwing act precisely like-a. series of revolving propeller blades except that'they do not make a complete revolution but less than half a'revolution, is to propel the bird forward;the*two forces thus generated acting at right angles to each other.

On commencement of the upward stroke.

of the wing, the .wide rear side of each primary. feather is pressedfdownwardby air- -resistance, allowing air topass freely through the wing, the quill partly turning so as to bring the sharp and narrow forward the supporting quill holds the wide rear side of each primary featherin oblique position downward and backward, during the upward movement of the wing, and each feather blade glides through the air in'the position. of an inclined plane, striking the v air-a glancing blow, and propelling the forward. i Only the rapidly moving outer orprirnary feathers extending nearl'ytransverse to-the. line of flight'are in position or have sufii cient speed topropel forward. Thewing feathers near the body of the bird which ex tend toward the rear, act chiefly as aerowings of a small bird is called flutterings,

and the still-more rapid flapping of a hum- ,jming birds wings produces ahumming"- planes, as they do not have very much motion. 1

The bird simply moves its; up'and." down, and the opening and closing of the,

wing feathers, which act like.valves,- is e tirely automatic,- being caused by a r reslstance.

the wings, and thepropelling forceof the wings, vd'etermines'the direction of move-1 .mentof the birdr y During horizontal flight,.the'flforce of gravity is exactly 1 overcome by the lifting force-o'futhe wings, and the forward prov.fpIellin'g force becomes the resultant of they three forces.

In the act-of poisi'ng-iircalm as :I have humming birds, the body: andfwing's of the- .obs'erved. practised: by' small=. hawks and birdfare inclinedbac'kwardj-at an angle of about: 45 degrees; In this p'osition,'the re.- sultant of v the lifting and/the propelling forces. of the wings, acting'atright angles" togeach other, is 'a' force acting verticallygupward which is. exactly equalto the force of gravity, or weight, actingidownwardl The .resultantoffthe three: for'cesis equal to'zero," and there is'. no movementinany direction.- I The -'correctness-fj'of my: jtheorygof bird. flight i'sin'dicatedI-by the'fact that it affords a reasonable .explanation.' of the peculiar.

" inanner in' which birds poise' or remain-sta- 'in' the lower valves, opening and downfst'ro {well asby sound.

birdflight is the flapping sound which is heard when near any large bird during flight, as the domestic chicken, turkey or pigeon. The same flapping sound is heard without actual flight, I hen aICock flaps his wings previous to crowing.

- Observation shows jthat the wingsdo not strike eachother, nor the body of the cock, and that the flapping sound is made when the wings are'near their highestpoint.

1 The sound is evidently produced by the drooping wider sideof each feather: blade.

striking against the stiff quill of the neXt adjacent feather, when suddenly closed by air resistance at-the commencement of the downward stroke. p The purpose of the cock is to make anoise,

and the flapping of the 'wingsprevious to crowing is louder and less frequent than 'I'during ordinary flight. 'When flapped pre- 'viousto'crowing, the .wings are moved very rapidly; in. the upper part of'their course,

snapping, the feather-valves shut much in the. same way that a whip is's nap'ped, while course the wings are moved more slowly.

The rapid fiappingsound produced by the sound. g i Further proof that the flap or flutter of a birds wings is caused by the quick closing 4 of the feather valves has been furnished by The resultant ofthe three forces acting]; simultaneously on the bird' du-rin'g fiight,;' consisting of gravity, thei'lifting .force of the valves in'the wingsof the experimental flying'machine I have constructed, which .lifts itself into the air and produces a sound similar to ,the flapping of a large birds wings.@;-- J I i e That thejfeathers ofa birds wing-act as and closing with .each' up can beproved by sight as. 110'.

Ai quick eye-can see the open bands in a served dark bands :-in the wings of white .The valve-like opening and closing of the feather blades in the wings of"'bird s" is also confirmed byf' the; photographic views or moving pictures of a heron. "in flight taken pigeons wings whenthe-bird is rising from i q the ground-afewfeet distant; These bands can very plainly be. seen whenfdark colored fpigeons arerisingor alighting to the east: .ward of the observerin. themornin'g, when .;thewings-are nearlyvertical and. the sun light: shows. through the opened feather valves at.'each'wing -stroke. 'I have also obby Prof. Mareyof France'in-l882, of which pedia, vol. 4,'page ,7Q0,

an account is given in Ohambers Encyclo- Ma rey' states that eaelifeather has a proper and independent motion, and that r the observations of Marey:

- while they'are brought closely together durpowers of flight seem adapted to the mode of I. life followed by'the birds This adaptation has no doubt been caused by the action of the Darwinian law of natural selectionand riods of time.

Many smallbirds which; feed u on the ground, as the sparrow for example, are required to make a' quick flight upward in order to escape from their four-footed enemies. 4

Such birds have the lifting power of the wings highly developed." *Their wings when spread out in theposition "for flight, are broad, rounded, and deeply concave, and the outer or primary feathers arebut slightly stronger or stiffer than the other wing feath- 'ers,.and onlya few of them extend straight out, or transverse, to the line of flight;

Such birds seem incapable of continuous level flight, but describe aseries of curves or undulating motion, 7 when flying. across country, or from tree to-tree.

After flapping their w ngs liquely for a short distance, they apparently over the level waters. I

Such birds have the propellm power of find themselves going too high, andthen' close their wings and-arecarried forward and downward a short distance-by momen-- tum and gravity, when they again flap their wings and rise.

Water fowl,- such tomed to live in flat marshy countries, are not required to fly high, but best escape .from their enemies by making arapid flight the wings highly developed, but t ey are unable to rise quickly. -Their wings when spread v out in position for flight, are'long,

"narrow, and only slightly concave,l and the -primary feathers are very-strong,fbroad and tiflF, and'most of them extend outsubstan; "-tially transverseto the line of flight.

These. marked differences between the -outer oriprimary wing feathers of -the blrds which fly best over a level course andthe birds which excelin upward flight, offers c us e e id nce that. t e propelli g fu d the survival of the fittest, through long peand rising obas the wild duck, accusin promoting flight.

tion of the wings is effected by means of the outer primary feathers. I

.Thej'fact that the upper surface-ofeach primary feather is smooth and even, the

flattened quill-top being flush with the blade,..

while on the under side there are uneven and its rib-like 'brancheszor barbs, strongly ward stroke ofthe wing.

' It is a remarkable fact that .nearly all ridges formed by the projection of the quill vindicates the use, of the smooth upper sur face as a propelling plane during the up;

animals that flythrough the'air have a dey vice very similar to my air-chamber. h

All naturalists'agree in stating that there are a series .of air-sacs in the .bodies' of nearly all birds, which are directly connected by air-tubes With'the lungs and throat of the bird, but they do not agree as'to what is the usefullp urpose of these organs.

These air-chambers or air-sacs are in the upper part ofthe body of the bird when in the proper'position for flight. That is,.they are found in the upper and back part of the head, the upper part'of the chest and abdominal cavities, and within the hollow upper bones of the leg (the thigh bones), and the large first bones of the wings.

The lungs of birds, which also contain air, are closely'fixed to the back of the bird, in the highest possible position,-while in other animals the. lungs float free in the .chest' cavity. v

Marcy, in describing theform of the bird,,

says: The lightest organs, the lungs and the air vessels, are in the upper'par'tl (Animal Mechanism, page 216, International .Scien-f {tific Series, Appleton- & Co. New York,

1887.) x y g Onthe lowest part of the bodyof thebird ,(when in'positionfor flight), weLfi n'd-ithe large keel bone 0r.breast bone, andthe large pectoral muscles which move th'el'wings'.

This is theheaviest and densest part of'thIebody, the pectoral muscles alone averaging,-

one sixth of the entire weight of the bird.

'The effect of the'more dense lower part of.

the'birds-body, in connectionwiththe up+ per parts, made specifically lighter air-' sacs, would be. to automatically; keepf'the heavier 1p'art downward during -fi ight,

through the action of the natural law known asthe' principle of Archimedes. I

differentplanw-from that ,of birds',-*also have [air sacs-in the upper parts-of their bodies, '(:wliei in the position for flighthis more than a coincidence, and strongly indieates' thatjthe air-sacs have an important function y :Ij will mention only thelocust, which has a. number of air-sacs in the upper part of the head, two very large and two smaller The fact that many spec esiof flying'in- I sects, whose bodies are'built on; an entirely new (See Paokards Zoology.) I The lifting power ofthese air-sacs cannot be of any greatservice to the bird or insect in getting up into the air,'but I have no doubt'tha't they are of great service in keeping its body in therequire'd upright position for flight, a matter of the highest importance, since in any other position flight would be impossible. I What I claim is:

the superstructure thereof,'made of a light framework covered by some fabric, convex on the upper andconcaveon the under side,"

circular in general plan, resembling an in'-.

verted saucerhaving a permanent shapeand fixed pos tion relative to adjoining parts, and forming on its under side in connection with theadjacent parts to which itiis at and-1a tube extending -through the body of t'ached, a parachute having its concave under side open and unobstructed for the free entrance of air, andheld. in downward posi tion by the heavier weight of the lowerparts of the flying machine; i

2. The combination of an air-chamber in" the superstructure ot a flying machine forminglfon its under sidein connec'tionwith ,the- -adjacent parts to which it is attached, a

parachute having a permanent shapeand the 'air-chamber-which'afi'ords a-limited out let for the air 'n'nder the-parachutewhile "descending, which is. a'dapted 'in sizetoiper- 1 40 mit the escape of compressed air while fa ll ing in suchquantity as to cause the maximum pressure under the parachute without a an over accumulation of compressed air and consequent tipping or oscillation of the par-,3

achute, 'a lid which is used solely for this having a permanent shapeandfiz'ced posi ,tion relativeto adjoining-"parts, and forming on its under side, in connection'with the j adjacent parts to which it'is attached,a p'ar-- -achute having its concave under side open and unobstructed for the free entrance of air, and held in downward position by the jheavierwei-ght ot-the, lower parts of the flying machine, and" aeroplanes extending Zlaterally from the framework 'ports the air-chamber..

which sup- 4 In wing of a flying machine, a plulessees rality 'ofvalves locate d'in-the outer portion ofjthe wing, each of which is capable ofmovement about an axis of support consistthe valve isrigidly attached between the middle part of the valye and its sharp foring of an elastic elongated member to which arched position inadirectionapproximately transverse to the line of flight, and each valve adapted to close. and sustain weight on' the downward stroke of/thfe wing, and to open j 1 and propel forwarders, the upward stroke. 1. In a. flying'machine, anair-chamber in o lower. framework composed ,of two planes having the shape of two equal isosceles tri- 5. 'In a' fiyinggmachihe', a platform or angles united at their'bases and forming an obtuse angle with'each other on the upper side. I

"6. In a flyingimachinaan interlacing network of Cords" stretched over a platform or lower framework, and with a walk or floor- I isosceles. triangles .unitedat their bases and s forming an obtuse anglewith each other on the upper side, and supporting wheels at each side andfat the front'lalid rear ends'of "the platform, the ,end'wheels being in; a I

raised posit 10 such that only'on'e of them can touchlon level ground at the same tijine.

8. In a flying machine, the combinationof' aplatforn' -orlowerframeworkcomposedot" two' planes having the '-.shapefofitwo' Je'qual. isosceles triangles.llnited' at .theirbases andi forming anobtuseangle witheachotlier onl the upper side, supporting wheel sat each,

side and at thefrontand rea'r'end's' of-..the

platform, and means for simultaneously con trollingthe two end wheels from a centrally located steering mechanism, consisting of ropesa'ttached to opposite ends of crossbars I fixedvto thelupper end of the verticalca'xis 'upon'lwhich' each ofthe wheels is supported. m9, In a flying machine, the-combination of aplatform orlower-framework composed of two planes having the shape of two'isosceles triangles hinted at their bases and forming anobtuse angle with each-other on the upper; side, supporting wheels at each side and atthe front andrearends of the platform, and means for controlling an end wheel for the purpose of steering during 'movement over land.' v

10. In thelower framework-of .a flying machine, the combination of a' narrow-walk -rear ends of the framework, hand ropes stretched on each side at a convenient height above thetwalk or bridge, and an i-nterlacing network of cords stretched from the the upward stroke of the ,wing in oblique ted inner end pivotally attached to an upright bar,'a wide central part at the two opposite points of which it is mounted on a horizontal pivotal axis, and an outer end elastically connected to a wing shaft by 1 ing sides of a wing-driving lever, and which connected to the said wing-driving ljeverbypg v v I catedffrarneworksupporting wings and 'ex-- tending from a'lower platformto a super means of a spring. I h

12. Ina flying machine, a triangular frame which is 'mounted within the branchhas an outwardlybending inner side pivotally supported attwo points on the axial line of the said Wing-driung-ieVer, and.

which, revolublydncloses awing shaft at two, points, first at the center of its out- \vardly bending inner 'side, and second at its outer corner or apex, where 1t 1s= elast cally means of a spring.

- 1,3.111 a wing of '-a',flying machine-adapt;- ed to oscillateup and down in a direction,

rality of overlappingjvalvegstrips attached near their forward sides and throughout thei-rentir'e length to narrow elastic ,bands' tion substantiallyat-right angles to the normalline of flight, and" adapted to beheld by the torsional elasticity of the bands during position with reference to the direction of 5 motion of the wing, with thesharp forward edge'of each valve-strip cleaving the air obliquely upward and forward with' slight air-resistance,and thus effecting propulsion.

14. In a-flyingmachine, oscillating wings provided with valve-strips extending. substantially at, right angles to the normal line of flight which by means of elastic connec- I of the wing forming a central arched frame- .7 tion with the rigid framework of the wing.

near the forward side ofeach valve-strip areheld during the upward stroke ofthei wing inoblique position'with referenceto the direction of motion of the wing, thus efi'ecting propulsion. j

lengthwiseinto the blade .of the wing forming. a central arched frame piece, arched cross-bars.

crossbars secured to the central arched frame piece'on the under side. thereof, and

a rectangular rim I joined ,to the central arched frame. piece and the ends of the 16. In a'fiying machine, an elastic connection" between a wing and awing-driving leward .or backward stopping of the wing at the end ofeach' stroke. r v

17.In a flying machine, a' wing shaft or stem revolubly mounted in a frame which has a pivotal axis'coinciding with the axis of oscillation of the wing, a shank secured to the wing shaft or, stem at right ngles thereto at the point where it crosses the pivotal axis, ropes attached to the end of the shank, and passing through pulleys fixed directly in .line with the axis of'the frame, and thence running through otherwpulleys" to a steering mechanism within' reach of the -opera-tor, and the whole adapted to turnthe blade of the wingeither for- 18. In a flying machine, a centrally lostructure, and making an angle with the su* per-structure at the front side greater than a right angle, and atthe back side less than i a right angle, and having that portion of the superstructure inffront of the wings of less superficial areafth'an the portion-back of the wings.

:tion betweena-wing shaft whose movement -islimited by: collar through which the shaft extends, and 1 a win'gdriving lever upon which the said collar-is supported,

whichconnection-renders the wings-movementf'elastic, and thus preventsthe shoc'k that would result from an abrupt stoppingv of the wing at the end of each stroke.

' .20. Ina wing of a flying machine,"the

combination of a wing framework"consist-' ing of a straight stem or shaftwhich has suflicient length to give every part of the and which extends lengthwise into the blade piece, arched cross-bars secured to the under side of the central arched frain'e piece, and a rectangular rim joined to the central arched frame piece andthe ends of thecrossbars; an interlaclng network of cords or wires secured on theunder side of the framea a 95. 19. In a flying machine, an elasticconnecwingblade an. effective orbitiof o'scillationwork to the cross-bars and'rimyand a plu at their forward sides throughout their en-i rality of overlapping valve-strips attached cords or wires during the downward stroke i of the wing, thus eifecting sus'tentatiomand adapted to be held .by thespring bands dur-' ing theupward stroke in oblique position with reference to the direction of motion of the wing with the narrow forward edges of the valve strips cleaving the air obliquely upward and forward, and thuseffecting propulsion;

2-1 In a flying machine, the, combination of two air-chambers in the superstructure thereof, each forming a parachute beneath,

aeroplanes extending V laterally from the framework which supports the air-chambers, and oscillating parachute-like wings, one extending outwardly from each side of thesuperstructure, substantially as described.

22. In the outer portion of a'wing of a flying machine, a plurality of valves each of which, .between its middlepart and its sharp forward edge is rigidly attached to and supported upon an elongated elastic member ex,- tending approximatelv transverse to the line of flight, and each valve capable of move ment about an. axis extending lengthwise 'and centrally through the supportingmember, such movement being caused during the upward stroke of the wing, by the greater air-pressure on the broad rear portion of the valve forcing that part downward, and causing the narrow portion of the valve in "front of the axis of support toturn its sharp forward edge upward, while the resistant torsional elasticity of the supporting member holds the valve in a rearwardly slanting position so that the smooth upper surface of the valve will strike the-'air like an inclined plane, and propel theflying machine forward.

. 23. In a flying machine, means for turning, either backward or forward, non-oscillating wings or lateral aeroplanes which are revoluble about an axis transverse to the line of flight, consisting of ropes attached to f the end of a shank extendingat right angles ,Il1S lT1 within reach of the operator. T 24. In a wing'of a flying machine, a plu-" rality of elastic flattened members extending approximately transverse to the line of flight and supporting resilient valves,--each valve being rigidly attached near its forward part to a supporting member, and each valve while subjected to air pressure during the upward stroke of the wing being held by the resistant tension of' the ela'sticsupporting member in such an oblique-position downward and backward as to strike the air aglanding blow like the vane'of a propeller,

and'thus propelling the flier forward.

25. In a wing of a flying machine, a plurality of elastic flattened members extending in a .more or less arched position ina direction approximately transverse to the line of flight, and supporting resilient valves, each valve'being rigidly attached be tween its middle part and sharp forward edge to a supporting member, and each valve being capable of movement about an axis extending lengthwise and centrally. through the supporting member when forced downward by the greater air-pressure on the rear' portion of the valye during the upward stroke of-thewing.

26. In a wing of a flying machine, a plurality of elastic supporting members extending in a more or less arched position approximately transverse to the normal line of flight. which by reason of their torsional elasticity are turned somewhat by rearwardly extending valves supported upon and rigidly attached to them, when the said.

valves are, pressed downwardby air resistcleave'theair obliquely upward and forward with slight air resistance.

. ance-'duringthe upward stroke. of the wing, I

thus placing the sharp forward edges of the ela'stic supporting, membersin position to ,27, In a flying in-achine,.;a' wiiig framework composed of arched members extend: 1 ing lengthwise and crosswise and a pluraL" ity of valve-strips each extending approximately transverse to the normal line of flight and each valve-strip securedtofthe un der side of the arched: wing framework by means of an elastic flattened member to 10G 28. In a Wing'of aflying'machine, a plurality of elastic supporting members extend which the valve-strip is rigidly fastened.

ing in a more or less arched position ap-r proximately transverse to theline of flight which by reason of their torsional elasticity are turned somewhat by valvessupported upon and rigidly attached to them,- when-. f. the rear portions -of the said valves are. pressed downward byair-resistance'during I the upward stroke 'of the wing, thus placing the sharp forward edges of the valvesin position to cleave the air obliquely upward and forward with slight air resistance.

29; In a wing of'a flying machine, a -plu-' rality of narrow resilient aeroplanes, ex-

part extending lengthwise of the aeroplane between its middle and its .sharp forward edge, and each aeroplane capable ofmovement about an axis ext'ending'lengthwise through the supporting part, such movement being caused by air resistance during the upward stroke of the wing pressing the broaderrear. portion of the aeroplane obliquely downward and backwardfand thus causin the, supporting axisto turn its sharp forward edge obliquely upward and forward.

'thatportion of the aeroplane. infront .o

'1,15' tending in a more or less arched position ap- 1 proximately transverse to the line of flight, each having a thickened elastic supporting 30. In a flying machine, the combination of a framework of a wing blade consisting of arched frame pieces extending lengthwise and crosswise of the wing blade and secured toeach other at right angles, and each frame piece joined at two points to a continuous rectangular rim, every part of which is in the same plane; an interlacing network of cords or wires secured on the under side of the wing framework; and a plurality of overlapping valve-strips attached near their forward sides to narrow elastic bands, and together with the elastic bands secured to arched cross-bars and to'the rim of the wing framework on the under side thereof at three or more points, and extending in a direction substantially at right'angles to the normal lineof flight.

' 81. In a flying machine, the combination of a wing framework, concave on the under side, a network of cords or wires secured to the under side of the framework, a plurality of elastic valve-supporting members secured to cross-bars and the rim of the wing framework on the under side thereof and next below the said networkand extending in a more or less arched position in a direction substantially transverse to the normal line of flight, and resilient valves each of which is rigidly secured near its forward part to one of the said members.

32. In a flying machine, the combination of a wing framework concave on the under side, a plurality of elastic valve-supporting members which are secured to the under side of cross-bars and to the rim of the wing framework and extend in a more or less arched position in a direction substantially transverse to the normal line of flight, and

resilient valves each of whichis rigidly seward cured near its forward part to one of the said members.

38. In a wing of a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of elastic va1ve supporting members which extend in a more or less arched position in a direction approximately transverse to the normal line of flight, and resilient valves each of which is rigidly secured near its forward part to one of the said members.

34:. In a flying machine, means for turning either backward or forward, wings or lateral aeroplanes which are revoluble about an axis transverse to the line of flight, consisting of a. steering mechanism located within reach of the operator, and constructed of two drums placed end to end and revoluble on a common axle shaft extending transversely of the flying machine and similarly situated with reference to each of the wings or lateral aeroplanes, and each drum having radial arms or spokes extending outwardly from the ends which are adjacent, and each drum being connected with an adjacent wing or lateral aeroplane by means of ropes attached to the end of a shank extending atright anglesfrom the stem or axial shaft of each wing or lateral aeroplane, and one of said ropes extending tothe front and the other toward the rear, and each rope passing through fixed guide pulleys attached to the framework of the flying machine, and thence running through other guide pulleys to and around the said drum and secured at one point to the drum.

WILLIAM S. CRANMER.

Witnesses:

U. GRANT HAYDEN, B. W. DOYLE. 

